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Valproic Acid: Anticonvulsant Overview

Valporic acid is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat mania by calming hyperactivity in the brain. It works by facilitating the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. Common side effects include nausea, dizziness, liver toxicity, and bleeding issues. Nurses should monitor liver function and platelet counts regularly. Patients should take it with food and avoid alcohol, sunlight, and hazardous activities. The goal is to decrease mania by increasing GABA levels in the brain.

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Chrissa Mae Aranilla Mayo
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63 views1 page

Valproic Acid: Anticonvulsant Overview

Valporic acid is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat mania by calming hyperactivity in the brain. It works by facilitating the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. Common side effects include nausea, dizziness, liver toxicity, and bleeding issues. Nurses should monitor liver function and platelet counts regularly. Patients should take it with food and avoid alcohol, sunlight, and hazardous activities. The goal is to decrease mania by increasing GABA levels in the brain.

Uploaded by

Chrissa Mae Aranilla Mayo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

MEDICATION: VALPORIC ACID CONCEPT: Psychiatric Nursing

CATEGORY CLASS: Anticonvulsant

PURPOSE OF MEDICATION
Expected Pharmacologic Action: Therapeutic Use:

Work by calming the hyperactivity of the brain during mania.


Facilitates the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA in the
brain.

Medication Administration: (Route, Dose Frequency)


Side Effects and Adverse Effects:
Route: Oral/ By Mouth Dosage: 250 mg, BID
Nausea, Dizziness, Drowsiness, Hepatotoxicity, Insomnia, emotional upset, tachycardia,
palpitations, hemorrhage, thrombocytopenia, bruises, photosensitivity reaction.
Nursing Interventions:
Contraindications:
-Monitor platelet count every 3-6 months.
Mitochondrial disorder
-Monitor liver function test every 3-6 months
-Obtain ECG since the patient may experience tachycardia
-Provide safety measure for the patient (side rails up)
-Do not administer the medication during night time.
Precautions: -Assess the mental status of the patient.

Patient with allergy to drug, patient with hepatic disease


Client Education:

Interactions: -Tell the patient to take the drug with food to prevent GI irritation
DRUG TO DRUG: Aspirin: may cause valproic acid toxicity. -Instruct the patient to avoid chewing of the medication
Carbamazepine: May decrease valproic acid level Lamotrigine: May
decrease valproic acid level -Instruct the patient to use sunscreen to protect the skin from sunlight.
DRUG TO LIFESTYLE: Alcohol drinker: may cause excessive CNS -Instruct the patient to avoid having wounds or cut or to bump in hard
depression
objects.

Evaluation of Medication Effectiveness: -Encourage the patient to verbalize feelings.


Decrease the manic episode of a patient by increasing the GABA -Instruct the patient to avoid driving and other potentially hazardous
neurotransmitters in the brain
activities

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